Vitamins

=Vitamins=

There are two classifications of vitamins: Fat soluable and water soluable.

Vitamin A
(ashley & farrah) ( [|http://www.askforkids.com]) Vitamin A (retinol), a fat-soluble [|lipid], is either derived directly from animal foods such as liver, egg yolks, cream, or butter or is derived from beta-[|carotene], a pigment that occurs in leafy green vegetables and in yellow fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A is essential to skeletal growth, normal reproductive function, and the health of the skin and mucous membranes. One form, retinal, is a component of visual purple, a photoreceptor pigment in the retina of the eye (see [|vision]). In addition, beta-carotene, like other carotenoids, is now recognized as an important [|antioxidant]. A deficiency of vitamin A can cause retarded skeletal growth, night blindness, various abnormalities of the skin and linings of the genitourinary system and gastrointestinal tract, and, in children, susceptibility to serious infection. The eye disorders that result from a deficiency of vitamin A can lead to permanent blindness. Severe deficiency can cause death. As with the other fat-soluble vitamins, conditions that lead to an inability to absorb fats, such as obstruction of bile flow or excessive use of mineral oil, can produce a deficiency state. Overconsumption of vitamin A can cause irritability, painful joints, growth retardation, liver and spleen enlargement, hair loss, and birth defects. The National Research Council recommended daily dietary allowance for adults is 1,000 micrograms (retinol equivalents) for men and 800 micrograms for women.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D (Jess & Jackie) ([|www.dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov]) In this paragraph, it explains the food sources, the functions, the classification, and RDA or AL of Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a fat soluble.Fortified foods are common sources of vitamin D. Although milk is fortified with vitamin D, dairy products made for milk, such as cheese and ice creams are generally not fortified with vitamin D and contains only small amounts.Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is found in food and can also be made in your body after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Sunshine is a significant source of vitamin D because UV rays from sunlight trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin.Recommendations for vitamin D are provided in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) developed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences. Dietary Reference Intakes is the general term for a set of reference values used for planning and assessing nutrient intake for healthy people. Three important types of reference values included in the DRIs are Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), Adequate Intakes (AI), and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL). The RDA recommends the average daily intake that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals in each age and gender group. An AI is set when there is insufficient scientific data available to establish a RDA. AIs meet or exceed the amount needed to maintain a nutritional state of adequacy in nearly all members of a specific age and gender group. The UL, on the other hand, is the maximum daily intake unlikely to result in adverse health effects.Vitamin D toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss. It can also raise blood levels of calcium, causing mental status changes such as confusion. High blood levels of calcium also can cause heart rhythm abnormalities. Calcinosis, the deposition of calcium and phosphate in the body's soft tissues such as the kidney, can also be caused by vitamin D toxicity. = =

[|Vitamin B 6]
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine is part of the B group vitamins and is water-soluble and is required for both mental and physical health. Good place to fin pyridoxine from are brewer's yeast, eggs, chicken, carrots, fish, liver, kidneys, peas, wheat germ, walnuts, (Anthony, Nelwine) ([|http://www.anyvitamins.com])

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an important water-soluble vitamin. In contrast to other water-soluble vitamins it is not excreted quickly in the urine, but rather accumulates and is stored in the liver, kidney and other body tissues. As a result, a vitamin B12 deficiency may not manifest itself until after 5 or 6 years of a diet supplying inadequate amounts. Vitamin B12 functions as a methyl donor and works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and is vitally important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath (myelin sheath) that surrounds nerve cells. The classical vitamin B12 deficiency disease is pernicious anaemia, a serious disease characterized by large, immature red blood cells. It is now clear though, that a vitamin B12 deficiency can have serious consequences long before anaemia is evident. The normal blood level of vitamin B12 ranges between 200 and 600 picogram/milliliter (148-443 picomol/liter).
 * Vitamin B12**

Biotin
(Isamara and Esthephany) [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biotin]
 * Biotin which is a water soluble vitamin is important in the catalysis of essential metabolic reactions to synthesize fatty acids, in gluconeogenesis, and to metabolize leucine. Those are the most important functions of biotin.
 * Some food sources include dairy products, yeast, chicken breast, cauliflower and some seafood like oysters, lobster and salmon.
 * It is a AI for amles and females aged 14 - 18 is 25 micrograms per day.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen, an imporat structural component of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments and bone. The term vitamon C applies to substances that possess antiscorbutic activity and include tow compuons and their salts: L - ascorbic acis, commonly called ascorbic acid and L- dehydroascrobic acid. Ascorbic acid is the major dietary form of vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for normal functioning of hte body. Unlike most mammals, humans don'thave the ability to make theri own vitamin C. We must therefore obtain vitamin C through our diet.

Folate
Folate food sources are vetetables,dark green leafy foods. The functions are synthesize DNA.(Araseli)

Niacin
Niacin is one of the vitamins in the B complex. Niacin is needed to help the body use energy and it helps to keep the skin and nervous system healthy. Niacin is one the the vitamins that breads and cereals are enriched with by law. The amino acid //Trytophan// is a provitamin from of Niacin and is found in poultry, meat and dairy products.

Pantothenic Acid
Pantothenic Acid is another vitamin in the B complex. Pantothenic Acid is needed for proper growth and development ofthe body and to metabolize energy. It is found in all living tissues so there are many food sources.